Systems and methods for multi-broadcast differentiation

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for resolving false positives in a centralized, real-time automatic content recognition system that is ingesting, fingerprinting, and attempting to match for recognition purposes, multiple streams of broadcast content that are simultaneously arriving from a plurality of sources. In particular, the problem of identifying which specific broadcast of certain programming has been matched, including the episode of a series, as well as the channel, time zone and time of broadcast and whether the programming is being watched 'live' as broadcast or from a DVR time-shifted source, is addressed. This system and method enables the processing means of any connected TV viewing means to synchronize with a regional automated content recognition (ACR) center with regard to displaying at the correct time certain supplemental information or other media that may be associated with certain programming. It also reduces the probability of a false positive 'recognition' of pre-recorded media or broadcasts from other time zones being displayed on the connected TV viewing means, and confusing such programming with the actual media with which the TV viewing device's processing means is intended to count, synchronize, interact with, or supplement.